Bowling pin handling mechanism



June 21, 1960 w. F. HucK ETAL BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2, 1958 In z/e rz fo 115 williamfvc levanderJ/ylbrect June 21, 1960 W, F HUCK ETAL 2,941,802

BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 21, 1960 w. F. HucK ETAL BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM 17N/ T'n .5

Filed Jan. 2, 1958 June 21, 196() w. F. HucK Erm.

BOWLING PIN HANDLING MEcHANrsM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ord Filed Jan. 2. 1958 June 21, 1960 w. F. HucK ETAL 2,941,802

BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United Sete# Pet-@nf- BOWLING PIN HANDLING MECHANISM William F. Huck, Forest Hills, N.Y., and Alexander J. Albrecht, Teaneck, and David P. Sanford, lUmon, NJ., assignors to The Brunswick Automatic Pmsetter Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed .lan. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 706,684

8 Claims. (Cl. 273-42) This invention relates to an automatic pinsetter and more particularly to pin handling mechanism for an automatic pinsetter.

An object of this invention is to provide new and improved pin handling mechanism for an automatic pinsetter in which the mechanism for collecting a set of pins in a predetermined arrangement preparatory to setting pins on a bowling alley bed is a relatively simple and easily constructed mechanical structure and the parts of the mechanism are mechanically controlled by eachother.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pin handling mechanism including a turret for collecting a set of pins, an intermediate deck mounted in fixed relation beneath the turret for receiving pins from the turret and storing pins therein, a pin setting deck movably mounted beneath the intermediate deck for receiving a set of pins from the intermediate deck and subsequently setting the pins on the alley bed, means responsive to the condition of the intermediate deck for preventing release of pins from the turret when the intermediate deck is not in condition to receive them, and selectively operable means on fthe pin setting deck engageable with the intermediate deck for causing release of pins from the intermediate deck.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a turret for collecting a set of pins with the turret having inner and outer parts mounted for rotation together and for relative up and down movement with a plurality of shoes on said parts for holding pins and movable upon said relative movement to release pins, spring means connected between said parts for holding them against relative movement but yieldable when a set of pins is in the turret, a movable lock arm having a first position for holding the parts against relative movement and a second position freeing said parts for relative movement, and

means holding said lock arm against movement except when a full set of pins is in the turret; -to provide an intermediate deck beneath the turret having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the turret and storing said pins in a predetermined arrangement, a plurality of movable shoes on said intermediate deck associated one with each of said pockets, and a plurality of catch members movably mounted on the intermedia-te deck and :associated one with each of the movable shoes for holding said shoes in pin supporting position and movable to a position to free said shoes for movement to a position to release pins; to provide a pin setting deck beneath the intermediate deck and having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the intermediate deck, a laterally slidable deck on said pin setting deck having .a plurality of shoes associated one with each setting deck pocket, and a plurality of lugs associated one with each setting deck pocket and formed on said slidable deck and extending upwardly therefrom; to provide means for controlling the release of a set of pins from the turret including a movable control arm extending upwardly ICC romrthe intermediate deck to a position adjacent the lock arm and operatively connected to one of said 1ntermediate deck movable shoes, said control arm having a iirst position to block said lock arm from move-i' ment when said one intermediate deck shoe having an 1ntermediate detecting position is in said detecting position or in the pin discharging position and the control; arm having a second position free of the lock arm when said one shoe is in its rst pin receiving position; and to provide means operable by the pin setting deckfor controlling .the release of a set of pins from the interme-` diate deck including the plurality of lugs extending upwardly from the setting deck which engage and releasef said catch means upon movement of said sliding deck when the pin setting deck is in its upper position.

The objects of the invention generally set forth together with other ancillary advantages are attained by the construction and arrangement shown by way of 1llustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side view in elevation of pin handling mechanism for an automatic pinsetter with" parts broken away and shown in association with a bowlingalley;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the pin handlingmechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section takt en through the turret and generally along the line 3 3 in Fig-2;

Fig. 4 is an end View in elevation on an enlarged vscalev of a pocket in the intermediate deck looking towardfthe left-hand side thereof as viewed in Fig. 2;

Atand showing a agmentarypart of the pin setting deck; and Y Y Fig. 6 is a vertical section of an intermediate deck pocket similar to that of Fig. 5 but showing the pocket' for the number. 5 pin. v Y

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment inmany different forms, there is shown in the drawings` and will herein be described in detail an illustrative embodimentof the invention with the understanding that the presen-t disclosure is to be considered as an exemplitication of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in Athe appended claims.

As shown in the drawings the pin handling mechanism comprises a turret indicated generally at 1 for collecting and releasing a set of pins, an intermediate deck indicated generally at 2 for receiving and storing pins `re ceived from the turret, and a pin setting deck indicated generally at 3. These parts are sociation with a bowling one side of an alley.

A transversely extending frame member 5 positioned` above the alley is supported at each end by struts angling downwardly to the kickbacks at lthe side of the alley and a pair of these struts at .one side of theA alley' are shown at 6 and 7 in Fig. l.

The turret 1 has a sleeve 10 which is fastened to the 4frame member 5 by collar 11 to support the turret in a fixed position above the alley. Downwardly angled struts 12 and 13 atboth sides of the alley support the ntermei diate deck 2 in a iixed position above the alley andV beneath the turret l. The pinsetting deck 3 is movably mounted for up and down movement between the posi-- tion shown in Fig. 1 and positions therebeneath for picking up of standing pins or setting of pins by a rock shaft 14 mounted between the frame members 6 at opposite sides of the alley. A pair of parallel arms, one of which is shown at 15 in Fig. 1, extend upwardly from the rock shown, in Fig. l, in as-F alley kickback 4 positionedfat Patented June 21, 1960 shaft 14 to pivotally connect as shown at 16 with upstanding frame members 17 and 18 tixed to the sides of the pin setting deck 3.

l`hf':,"turr`et l/comprises means for collecting a set of pins in a predetermined arrangement and forreleasing the set of pins therefrom andas shown particularly in'Figs. 2 and 3 has ten pin receiving pockets 26a through 20j for receiving ten pins forming a set of pins. The turret has an outer part 21 having a ring shape and formed with inwardly facing shoes 22 except for pocket 20a which has an outwardly facing shoe 23. The turret has an inner part 24 disposed Within the outer part 21. The turret inner part 24 has a shoeV 25 for each of the pockets with nine of the inner partshoes 25 lying within the outer part shoes 22. The inner part shoe 25 lies outwardly of the outer part shoe 23 at pocket 20a.

The outer turret part 21 is mounted for rotation centrally thereof to a hollow drive shaft 30 rotatably mounted within the sleeve which is driven by an intermittent drive mechanism secured to the upper end thereof (not shown). The inner turret part 24 isl secured centrally thereof to a shaft 31 slidably mounted within the drive shaft 30. The inner and outer turret parts are caused to rotate together by a pin 32 mounted in a slot 33 in the outer turret part 21 and loosely mounted in a slot 34v in the inner turret part 24. This pin 32 permits relative up and down movement between lthe turret parts and specifically raising and lowering movement of the inner turret part 24 relative to the outer turret part 21.

The turret parts when in their closest position relative to each other support pins between the shoes and the pins are held therein until the inner turret part 24 moves downwardly relative to the outer turret part 21 to increase the distance between the shoes. A plurality of springs 35 are connected at their lower end to the inner turret part 24, as shown in Fig.. 3, and at their upper ends are connected to a sleeve 36 secured to the outer turret part 21. A The springs 35 are sufficiently strong to hold the inner turret part 24'adjacent the outer turret part 21 when one pin is in the turret, but are yieldablewhen a set of pins are in the turret so that the turret parts may move apart relative to each other. In order to prevent movement of the turret parts until a set of pins has been collected, a lock arm 40 `is pivotally mounted on the sleeve 36 by a pin 41 and carries a cam roller 42 engageable with a cam 44 mounted on the sleeve 10. This cam by engaging the roller 42 maintains the lock arm in a counterclockwise pivoted position so as to have an inclined abutment 45 on said lock arm in Aengagement with a roller 46 mounted on the inner turret part 24. The lock arm is urged to this position by a spring 43. When the tur-ret holds a set of pins and is in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, the roller 42 will be aligned with a drop-out section 47 of the cam 44 and the weight of pins acting on the inner turret part 24 will cause the roller 46 by engaging the inclined abutment 45 to pivot the lock arm 40 in a clockwise direction to thus free the roller 46 and inner turret part 24 for downward movement. The lower end of the lock arm 40 pivotally mounts an arm 50 by a pin 51 which-forms a part of the lock arm and which is forced by a spring 52 into abutting relation with the lock arrn as shown at 53. The free end of this arm 50, as shown in the full line position of Fig. 3, may be selectively engaged by a part hereinafter described to block movement of the lock arm 40 when the turret would otherwise drop a set of pins in the event the intermediate deck 2 is not ready to receive the pins. Turret 1 as shown in the positions of Figs. 2 and 3 is m a position to discharge pins therefrom tothe intermediate deck 2 and is also in a 'position to` receive a first pin of a new set in the pocket 20a. Inasmuch as the lock arm 40 is free for movement in this position, the springs 35 .function to maintain the turret parts together -if only` a single pin is in the turret. The turret iS then indeXd topresent successive. pockets. to the position shown for pocket 20a in Fig. 2 and in these positions the lock arm 40 is blocked against movementby the cam 44. When the turret has a full set of pins, the lock arm 40 is free for movement except it is dependent upon the control from the intermediate deck acting through the arm Si) pivotally mounted yat the lower end of the lock arm. The dropping ofthe pins from the turret 1 is caused by the weight of the pins resting on the inner turret part.

shoes `25 acting against the springs 35 to spread the shoes on the inner and outer turret parts apart a distance suiiicient to clear the largest diameter of the pin.

The intermediate :deckZ comprises means for storing a set of pins received from the turret in a predetermined generally triangular arrangement for subsequent release to the pin setting deck 3. rThe intermediate deck has a frame 55 secured to the struts 12 and 13 on each side of 4the alley and has ten-pin receiving pockets formed in a generally triangular arrangement. These pockets are indicated at 56 with the pocket for the number l pin identitied as 56a, the number 2 pin as 56b, the number 4 pin as 56a` and the number 7'pin as 56d.

The intermediate deck frame 55 may have. guide plates extending ,upwardly therefrom (not shown) to aid in guiding pins from the turret 1 to the intermediate deck 2 and particularly the pins for the numbers l, 7 and l0 pin pockets inthe intermediate deck 2.

One of the pockets 56 for the intermediate deck 2 is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and the structure is the same for all of the pockets 56 except the pocket for holding the number 5 pin` Each pocket has a iixed shoe 6u facing toward the rear of the machine (toward the left as viewed in Fig. l and toward the right as viewed in Fig. 5). This shoe has its sides secured to the frame 55 as by rivets 61.I A .pair of side plates 62 and 63 extend downwardly from the intermediate deck frame 5S opposite from the {ixed shoe 60 and pivotally support a pivot shaft 64 extending through and secured to flanges 65 and 66 mounted on the underside of a movable shoe 67 positioned opposite to the fixed shoe60 and facing forwardly of the machine. The anges 65 and 66 mount a cross pin 67a which is formed to coact with a catch member having a pair of arms 63 and 69, each formed with a shoulder 70. The pair of arms 68 and 69 are secured to a sleeve 71 rotatably mounted on a iixed pin i2 riveted to the plates 62 and 63 of the intermediate deck frame. The sleeve 71 also has a pair of. arms 74 and A'75 secured thereto in spaced apart relation which .attheir free ends are connected by a cross piece 76 .to form a U-shaped member. The arms '74 and 75 support a trigger 77 pivotally mounted therebetween by a pin 7S and the trigger has a downwardly extending end 77a and a sloped face 7712 at the other end which is arranged to abut the cross piece 76 between the arms 74 and 75.

. A spring 80 is connected between the trigger 77 and an arm 81 fastened to the underside of the movable shoe 67 and functions to maintain the end 77b of the trigger in abutting relation with the cross piece 76 and also to urge the movable shoe 67 to a closed pin holding position as shown in full line in Fig. 5. The pivotal movement of the movable shoe 67 in a clockwise direction is limited by engagement of the cross pin 67a with an edge 82 formed on each of the frame plates 62 and 63.

When the catch member arms 68 and 69 are pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, from the position shown in Fig. 5, by means hereinafter described, to the dotted line position, 'the movable Shoes 67 of the intermediate deck pockets are'free to pivot in a counterclockwise direction against the action. of the spring 89 as caused by the weight'V of .bowling pins resting thereon to the broken line position.

The pocket 56 for the number 5 pin is shown in Fig. 6 and is substantiallyv the same as that shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and duplicate parts have been given the same reference numeral. The pocket 56 for the number 5 pin is arranged 'to perform a detecting'operatin to detect )they presence or association'of pins with the intermediate deck 2. The intermediate deck frame plates corresponding to plates `62 and 63 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 have a slightly different formation and one of these plates is shown at 90 wherein an edge 91 of the plate is spaced a greater distance from the shoulders 70 formed on the catch arms 68 and 69 to provide a suicient range of movement for a movable shoe 67b to indicate the presence of a pin in the pocket with the movable shoe 67b still blocked against movement to a pin releasing position. Each of the movable shoes 67 on the intermediate deck 2 has an upper pin retaining position and a lower pin releasing positionspaced a greater distance from the associated fixed shoe 60. In addition, the movable shoe 67b for the number 5 pin pocket has an intermediate detecting position indicating presence of pins in the intermediate deck 2. Although any one of the movable shoes 67 may be arranged to perform the detecting operation, the shoe for the number 5 pin pocket has been selected because of its central location with respect to the turret 1. lAn arm 9S fastened to the movable shoe 67b for movement therewith has a grooved roller 96 at its upper end to engage a control ann 97. The control arm 97 is secured to a pivot arm 98 pivoted at 99 to a post 100 extending upwardly from the intermediate deck frame 55. The control arm 97 has its upper end 101 extendling upwardly to a position adjacent the arm 50 at the lower end of the lock arm 40 in the turret 1. The control arm 97 has a curved surface 102 terminating in a at surface 103. These surfaces are related to the pivot shaft 64 for the movable shoe I67b and the arm 95 so that with the movable shoe in its upper position waiting the entry of a pin onto the shoe, the grooved roller 96 will engage the flat surface 103 and have the upper end 101 of the control arm 97 in its lowest position. With a pin resting on the movable shoe 67b, the shoe will move to an intermediate position, shown in broken line, which will cause the grooved roller 96 to move onto the curved surface 102 which will result in raising the control arm 97 to place the upper end 101 thereof in position to engage the arm 50 and lock the lock arm 40 'from movement so that pins may not drop from the turret 1. If the movable shoe 67b moves beyond the intermediate detecting position to an extreme position for releasing a pin lLberefrom or any position therebetween, grooved roller 96 will still be on the curved surface 102 to maintain the control arm in locking relation relative to the lock arm 40. To facilitate the return of the movable shoe 67b to its pin receiving position and the arm 95 to a corresponding position, an auxiliary spring 105 is fastened at one end to a bracket 106 on the arm 95 and at `its other end (not shown) to the intermediate deck frame 55.

The pin sett-ing deck 3 includes a middle deck 111! to which the frame members 17 are connected for causing the deck to move up and down, a scissors deck 111 mounted beneath the middle deck 110 which supports pin pickup mechanism operative to pick up standing pins when the first ball of a frame does not knockl down all the pins anda forwardly and rearwardly slidable deck 112 positioned above the middle deck. The middle deck has brackets 115 at its front and at each rear corner thereof each supporting a rock shaft 116 having arms 117 pivotally connected at their lower ends to the laterally slidable vdeck 112 as shown at 118. A spring 120 at each side of the deck is connected between a bracket 121 formed on the slidable deck and frame members 17 secured rto the middle deck 110. These springs yieldably urge slidable deck 112 toward the rear of the machine and the lmovement thereof is controlled by 4a cable 122 operated by control means (not shown) which at one end is connectedto an arm 123 secured to the rock shaft 116 at one -rear corner of the deck, as shown in Fig. 1.

"lThe pin setting'deck 3 has ten triangularly arranged pockets arranged to hold a set of pins in the arrangement which the pins have when set on the alley bed and each of the pockets has a fixed shoe 125 mounted on the middle deck and a shoe 126 mounted on the slidable deck 112 for movement therewith. As shown in IFig. 1, the shoes and 126 are positioned close to each other and upon rearward sliding movement of the slidable deck 112 under the control of the cable 122 and under the urging of springs 120, the shoes 126 move away from the shoes 125 to form the pin receiving pockets for receiving and holding pins discharged from the intermediate `deck 2.

VMeans are provided under the control of the slidable deck 112 for causing pins to drop from the intermediate deck into the pin setting deck 3. This means .includes a series of upstanding lugs 130 formed on the slidable deck 112 as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6 which are disposed to the rear of the shoes 126 and associated one with each. When the slidable deck 112 is moved toward the rear to open the pockets in the pin setting deck, the lugs 130 engage the triggers 77 associated with the movable shoes 67 on the intermediate deck, to move the triggers rearwardly or to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, and to the right, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to lower the catch member arms 68 and 69 to free the cross pins 67a so that the movable shoes may move to pin releasing positions, if pins are resting on said movable shoes 67, or to free the movable shoes for movement so that when pins drop from the turret 1 they will pass directly through the pockets 56 in the intermediate deck and into the pockets in the pin setting deck 3.

The control arm 97 and lock arm 40 of the turret coact to permit pins to drop from the turret 1 to the intermediate deck whenever the intermediate deck is entirely free of pins. The pins will not drop from the turret when pins are resting on the movable shoes 67 of the intermediate deck or when the shoes are in the process of discharging pins therefrom.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, each of the figures show the slidable deck 112 in full line position including a lug 130 and in dotted line shown the lug 130 after the slidable deck 112 has been moved rearwardly to engage and pivot the trigger 77. It will be seen that the trigger 77 is pivotally mounted on the arms 74 and 75 for free pivotal movement in a clockwise direction so as to permit the lug 136 to travel forwardly past the trigger 77 when the pin setting deck 3 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 1 after setting pins and during the process of returning the slidable deck 112 to its normal forward position.

It will be seen from the foregoing that We have provided the turret, intermediate deck and pin setting deck arranged in a minimum amount of space. The intermediate deck controls the dropping of pins from a turret which functions to `drop pins by utilizing the weight of the pins and a direct mechanical control is provided to drop pins only lat the proper times. Also provided is la simple, direct mechanical mechanism for controlling the drop of the pins from the intermediate deck 2 to the pin setter deck 3.

We claim:

l. lPin handling mechanism for a automatic pin setter comprising, in combination, a rotatable turret for collecting a set of pins, said turret having two parts rotatably movable together and relatively movable up and down -wlth respect to each other and each having shoes for engagmg and holding pins in one position of said parts and movable apart in response to the Weight of pins to permit release of pins therefrom, means for permitting relative movement of said parts only when said turret has a complete set of pins including a lock arm movable when the turret has a set of pins, an intermediate deck beneath said turret and fixed relative thereto for receiving pins from the turret land storing said pins, said intermediatede'ckhaving a plurality of pin receiving pockets each having a movable shoe2 having a pin holding rpositionnand a pin release position, releasable means associatedtone witheachmovable intermediate deck shoe for holding said movable shoes in position to support. and'hold pins in said intermediate deck, one of said shoes having an intermediate detecting position when pins are in said intermediatedeck, means including a control arm extending upwardly from the intermediate deck responsive to said one intermediate deck shoe being in the intermediate detecting position or a pin release position to block ,said lock arm from movement, a pin setting deck mounted beneath said intermediate deck and having a slidable deck, aplurality Vof pockets for pins in said setting deck and a shoe for eachV pocket on said slidable deck, means on saidslidable deck associated one with each of said setting deck pockets and engageable with said releasable means upon movement of said sliding deck to release said intermediate deck shoes to permit pins to travel from the intermediate deck to the setting deck.

2. Pin handling mechanism for an automatic pinsetter comprising, in combination, a turret yfor collecting and selectively releasing a set of pins, a lock arm movable when the turret has a set of pins to permity release of pins therefrom, an intermediate deck beneath said turret and ixed relative thereto lfor receiving pins from the turret and storing said pins, said intermediate deck having a plurality of pin receiving pockets each having a movable shoe having a pin holding position and a pin release position, means for holding said movable shoes in position to support and hold pins in said intermediate deck, one of said movable shoes having an intermediate detecting position when pins are in said intermediate deck, means including a control arm extending upwardly fromthe intermediate "deck responsive to said one intermediate deck shoe ,being in the intermediate detecting position vor a pin release position to block said lock arm from movement, a pin setting deck mounted beneath said intermediate deck and having a slidable deck, a plurality of pockets for pins inV said'setting deck and a shoe for each pocketion saidslidable deck, means on said slidable deck engageable with said intermediate deck shoe holding'means upon movement of said sliding deck to release said intermediate deck shoes to permit pins to travel from theintermediate deck to the setting deck.

3.` In an automatic pinsetter usable on a bowling alley having `anralley bed comprising, in combination, a turret for v.collecting a set of bowling pins, said turret including bowling pin-operated means -for releasing a set of pins therefrom Iwhen collected therein, an intermediate deck mounted `in fixed relation to and beneath said turret for receiving a set of pins -from the turret, storing said pins and` releasing said pins including selectively releasable shoes, a pin setting deck movably mounted beneath the intermediate deck -for receiving a set of lpins from the intermediate deck and subsequently setting said pins on the alley bed, means responsive to the condition of the intermediate deck for preventing release of pins from the turret when said intermediate deck is not in condition to receive them, and selectively operable means ,on the pin setting deck engageable with the intermediate deck for releasing said shoes and causing release of -pns from the intermediate deck.

4.Pin handling mechanism comprising, in combination, a turret for collecting a set of pins, said turret having Yan inner part and an outer part mounted for rotationtogether and up and down relative movement, a plurality `of shoes on said `parts forholding pins and for releasing pins when moved apart by movement of said parts away. from eachother, spring ,means connected between said.` parts foriholdingV them against said relative movement.but yieldable when a set of pins is in the turret, a movable lock arm having a first position Vfor holding said `parts against relative movement and' a second position freeing. said. parts' ifor Yrelative .mtvement, means fholling.

said-lock.armgagainstfrnovement except when a full-set ofnpins is .in the turret, an intermediate deckbeneathth e, turretghaving a pluralityof pockets` for receiving Vpins from the ;turret, a plurality of movable shoes associated-one, with, each intermediate deck pocket, said intermediate deck shoes having aiirst pin receiving position and a second discharge posi-tion and one of said shoes havingan intermediate,detectingposition to indicate the presence .of pins, amovable control arm extending upwardly from the intermediate deck to a position adjacent the lock arm and operatively connected to said one intermediate deck movable shoe, said control arm having a first position to block said lock arm yfrom movement when the movable shoe is in the intermediate Adetecting-position or in pin discharge position and a second position free of the lock arm-When the movable shoe is in lits irst pin receiving position.

5. Pin handling mechanism comprising, inl combination, an indexible turret for collecting a set of pins, said turret having an inner part and an outer part mounted for up and down relative movement for holding pins and for releasing pins when said parts are moved relatively to each other, means connected .between said parts for holding them against said relativemoveme-nt but yieldable when. a set of pins `is in the turret, a movable lock -arm having a irst'position for holding said parts against relativemovement and a second vposition freeing said parts for relative movement, an intermediate deck beneath the turret having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the turret, a plurality of movable shoes associated one with each intermediate deck pocket, said intermediate deck shoes having a iirst pin receiving position and a second discharge position, a movable control arm extending upwardly from the intermediate deck to a position adjacent the lock arm and operatively connected to one of saidA intermediate deck movable shoes, said control arm having a lii-rst position to block said lock arm .from movement when said one movable shoe is in the pin discharge position and a second position free of the lock `arm when said one movable shoe is in its first pin receiving position.

6. Pin handlingmechanism comprising, in combination, a turret for collecting a set of pins, said turret having a plurality of relatively movable shoes for holding pins and for releasing pins when moved apart, a movable lock arm having a rst position for holding said shoesagainst relative movement and a second position freeing said shoes for relative movement, an intermediate deck beneath the turret having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the turret, a plurality of movable shoes associated one with each intermediate deck pocket, said intermediate deck shoes having a first pin receiving position and a second discharge position and one of said shoes having an intermediate detecting position to indicate the presence of pins, a movable control arm extending upwardly from the intermediate deck to a position adjacent the lock arm `and operatively connected to said one intermediate deck movable shoe, said control arm having a first position to block said lock arm from movement when said one movable shoe is in the intermediate detecting positiony orin pin discharge position and a second position tree of the lock arm when said one movable shoe is in its lirst pin receiving position.

7. Pin handling mechanism comprising, in combination, a turret for collecting a set of pins and selectively releasing said set of pins, an intermediate deck beneath the turret having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the turret and storing said pins in a predetermined arrangement forsubsequent release, a plurality of movable shoes on said intermediate deck associated one with each of said pockets having pin holding and pin releasing positions, a plurality of catch members movably mounted on the intermediate deck and associated one with each of the movableshoes for holding said shoes in pin supporting position and movable to a position to `free said shoes for movement to a pin' releasing position, a spring connected between each shoe and associated catch member for urging the shoe to pin holding position and the catch member to a shoe holding position, a plurality of triggers associated one with each of said catch members, and extending downwardly therefrom, a movable pin setting deck beneath the intermediate deck having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the intermediate deck, a laterally slidable deck forming part of said pin setting deck having a plurality of shoes associated one with each setting deck pocket, a plurality of lugs extending upwardly from said slidable deck and associated one with each setting deck pocket, whereby movement of said sliding deck when the setting deck is in its upper position causes the lugs to engage the triggers and shift the catch members to free the intermediate deck shoes for movement to pin releasing position.

8. Pin handling mechanism comprising, in combination, a turret for collecting a set of pins and selectively releasing said set of pins, an intermediate deck beneath the turret having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the turret and storing said pins in a predetermined arrangement for subsequent release, a plurality of movable shoes on said intermediate deck associated one with each of said pockets, a plurality of catch members movably mounted on the intermediate deck and associated one with each of the movable shoes for holding said shoes in pin supporting position and movable to a position to free said shoes for movement to a pin releasing position, a pin setting deck beneath the intermediate deck having a plurality of pockets for receiving pins from the intermediate deck, a laterally slidable deck forming part of said pin setting deck having a plurality of shoes associated one with each setting deck pocket, and a plurality of lugs extending upwardly from said slidable deck and associated one with each setting deck pocket, whereby movement of said sliding deck when the setting deck is in its upper position causes the lugs to engage and shift the catch members to free the intermediate deck shoes for movement to pin releasing position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,621,961 Whipple et al. Dec. 16, 1952 2,651,519 Weber et al. Sept. 8, 1953 2,736,554 Fluke et al. Feb. 28, 1956 2,739,813 Dowd et a1 Mar. 27, 1956 

